Professional Consultation Services LDJones@MFW-Consultancy.com
Miracle Fence Works is no longer in the Direct Contracting Business in Houston. But, the expertise is still available.
Why hire an expert Wood Fencing Consultant ?
Because no licenses are required to design, build or repair a WOOD FENCE .. as in "Buyer Beware".
Know that unskilled repairs may be no better than "putting lipstick on a pig".
And new raw wood fencing can have serious unseen defects, quickly fade - and still cost $15-$20,000.
Avoid these pitfalls by engaging the professional services of Larry Jones, ASTM member and principle author of ASTM STP-935, Past National Director of CSI (The Construction Specification Institute) after serving as President of the Houston Chapter, member of APTI Texas, guest speaker at several APTI International Conferences, and completed the esteemed RESTORE school program in NYC. Mr. Jones has designed and supervised more than 200 wood fence restoration projects in Bellaire, West U, and Memorial since 2019. Previous project affiliations include the 1974 Superbowl VIII in Rice Stadium, the 1984 Astrodome Restoration, The San Jacinto Monument, The Texas State Capitol, The Transco Waterwall, Houston Galleria Expansion, and the Reading Train Terminal Restoration in Philadelphia. Author of A Bill of Rights for Masonry Structures.
The path to success begins with a free assessment of your fencing by Mr. Jones - Restoration vs New.
Quality and enduring Restoration is often a viable option - with great cost savings versus replacement with a new fence - and frequently in the range of half or less than the price of a new fence. There are time-honored Preservation Technology procedures for repairs and Preservative-finishes, which protect and beautify. Ditto for Quality new wood fencing.
The Next Step is becoming a client.
While the engagement can be as simple as DIY plans if you are so-inclined, the typical arrangement will include design, specs, bidder selection assistance, bid evaluation, and quality assurance inspection services for both Restorations and New Quality Wood Fencing.
MFW Preservation Technology
New Wood Fencing Preservative-Finished
Protecting "raw wood" Fencing you already have
Protecting "raw wood" Fencing you already have
Protecting "raw wood" Fencing you already have
"Old to Gold for Years Untold"
Consultation can be arranged to assist the wood fence owner for DIY purposes, development of a specification, contractor selection, and quality control.
Email or Text 281-620-4930.
Leaning or Down Fencing and all about "wood rot"
Leaning or Down Fencing and all about "wood rot"
"Ivy on the Fence" Dead or Alive
Leaning or Down Fencing and all about "wood rot"
Why be an eco-polluter? Restore, not replace
Why be an eco-polluter? Restore, not replace
Leaning or Down Fencing and all about "wood rot"
Why be an eco-polluter? Restore, not replace
Perpetual Beauty for a 30-year old fence with MFW "Refresher" Service
Perpetual Beauty for a 30-year old fence with MFW "Refresher" Service
Perpetual Beauty for a 30-year old fence with MFW "Refresher" Service
Curb Appeal Counts Patios, too.
Perpetual Beauty for a 30-year old fence with MFW "Refresher" Service
Perpetual Beauty for a 30-year old fence with MFW "Refresher" Service
Restoration with Design Upgrades
Perpetual Beauty for a 30-year old fence with MFW "Refresher" Service
Decks and Pergolas Restore them too
Decks and Pergolas Restore them too
Harmonize Lawn Furniture and the Fence
Decks and Pergolas Restore them too
Harmonize Lawn Furniture and the Fence
Harmonize Lawn Furniture and the Fence
Harmonize Lawn Furniture and the Fence
The "Miracle" of Preservation Technology
A really old fence
Restoration of this
Restoration of this
This is what we typically start with. In this case a really old fence in Memorial with all manner of problems, broken and warped pickets, nails wiggled out, and a failed stain job.
Restoration of this
Restoration of this
Restoration of this
Another view of this "thought-to-be-dead" fence, tired and leaning "to and fro". Owner was sure it would have to be replaced - all of its more than 400 ft of length.
The Miracle, indeed
Restoration of this
Some New Fencing, too
Same fence after restoration. Surface prep back to "good wood", all needed repairs including vertical stabilization, followed by our preservative-finish which both beautifies and protects.
Some New Fencing, too
Then came the Big Storm !
Some New Fencing, too
New fencing where none was before - on the left. The adjacent restored fence, shown above, is on the right. They look very much alike - both beautified and protected for many years to come.
Then came the Big Storm !
Then came the Big Storm !
Then came the Big Storm !
Same fence section we started with above. We call it "Big John" because it held the impact of a mighty big oak tree, just like that Big John down in the mine , if you remember the song.
After the Storm Repair
Then came the Big Storm !
Then came the Big Storm !
Everything back to normal after the storm damage repairs. Note that perceived color is always influenced by sunlight and angle of same. All of this is indeed the "Miracle" of Preservation Technology.
IT IS BASED ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGY
MFW Founder
Preservation Technology
Preservation Technology
MFW founder, Larry D Jones, after a long career in Historic Preservation Technology ,has adapted these principles and techniques for the restoration and preservation of wood privacy fencing. Note: email to LDJones59@yahoo.com still works, too.
Preservation Technology
Preservation Technology
Preservation Technology
Larry is a principal author of ASTM STP-935 - which is the bible for the use of pressure cleaning as surface preparation on any project. Also an invited speaker at multiple International Preservation Conferences.
Restored 6 years before this picture
"Old to Gold for Years Untold"
Free consultation and estimates. There is a number 281-638- 8403, But the best start is to email Larry at LDJones59@yahoo.com
Professional Consultation Services
Professional Assessment of your Fencing.
"DIY" Repair specs for those so-inclined.
Bid Specs for Contractor Selection.
QC Compliance Inspection.
Especially important for your next new fencing !
REATORATION AND NEW - SIDE BY SIDE
You probably have backyard fencing built at different times. Some quite restorable but maybe some too far gone. It can be done - just like this Bellaire project !
Restored on the left and new on the right, or is it the other way around? Both beautiful and long lasting. Restoration typically half or less than New.
Topics of MFW SERVICE
Recycle your Backyard into Beauty
Recycle your Backyard into Beauty
Recycle your Backyard into Beauty
A beautiful fence and matching wood lawn furniture plus your loving gardening makes for a beautiful backyard. Old, weathered wood lawn furniture often can be made
Beautiful with our same fence process.
Why you should protect new wood
Recycle your Backyard into Beauty
Recycle your Backyard into Beauty
This is a new fence less than one year old. UNPROTECTED and just look at how it is sun-bleaching, fading, toward grey - and note the water marks.
Our process protects your fence from both - UV degradation and water soak - enhances and beautfies too.
What is Wood Fence Restoration?
Recycle your Backyard into Beauty
What is Wood Fence Restoration?
No better example, same fence seemingly dead on the ground and after MFW Restoration. In total, MFW Restoration is ASTM cleaning back to "good wood", all needed repairs even if leaning, and applying our preservative finish to beautify and protect.
Neighbors will think it's a new fence
Happens often. Fence above looked like a stack of leaning pallets before our service. First we ASTM clean back to "good wood" - make repairs - and then treat with our preservative finish process which enhances the natural color of the underlying "good wood".
Leaning fences
We have a proprietary system for restoring vertical integrity to a fallen or leaning fence. Does not require taking the fence apart to remove and replace failed posts. We call it our XPost system and it has several elements to it. Click to see many examples.
How long before the fence turns grey?
How long before the fence turns grey?
Sadly, you have seen it all too often - a gleaming gold new fence, and a year or two later it looks old and grey. This particular case history tracks a fence first restored and preserved in 2006 and kept that way until 2020 when a new owner installed all new pickets - only to see them grey as per above one year later.
Why NOT to "stain" a fence.
The "Bellaire Lean" Explained
The "Bellaire Lean" Explained
A "stain", in the pure sense, only imparts pigments into the wood, no protection. And then when sun and water go to work on the "stained" surface, it can fade if not wash away in highly irregular patterns such as above. Irregular application can also contribute as the sun eats way at it.
The "Bellaire Lean" Explained
The "Bellaire Lean" Explained
The "Bellaire Lean" Explained
Fences built in unsettled fill soil are the cause. We call it the "Bellaire lean" because of so many upscale homes built after 2001 on raised elevations.
Fill soil trucked in, new house built and then the fence, and therein lies the problem.
Those white water marks on the fence
Those white water marks on the fence
Those white water marks on the fence
Two factors contribute to this - unprotected wood fencing and lawn sprinklers. City water soaks into the wood, stays wet for extended periods of time. Eventually the pure H2O water evaporates, leaving the mineral content behind - the whitish deposits - the water marks. We can remove and prevent their return.
Why NOT to paint a fence.
Those white water marks on the fence
Those white water marks on the fence
There are several reasons not to paint a fence. First, it is an irreversible action for the fence - no options later except to repaint. Second, it covers the wood, hides the grain and natural color. Third, paint is prone to chip and peal -has a high maintenance profile.
Fence color can be changed without paint.
Vines are not a problem
Like Fence, like Lawn Furniture
Vines are not a problem
Quite often we can restore and preserve a fence with vines with no damage to the fence or greenery. There is nothing toxic in the entire process.
Works best when the vines are growing on cables attached to the fence.
Dead Vines
Like Fence, like Lawn Furniture
Vines are not a problem
This one as bad as it gets, huh? But, all the dead vines and the fence was restored and preservative-finished.
Removal steps are extensive, but any residual scarring provides "charm and character" for the fence.
Like Fence, like Lawn Furniture
Like Fence, like Lawn Furniture
Like Fence, like Lawn Furniture
This is a little lagniappe for customers who have wood lawn furniture in the backyard. Same process as for the fence. Just look at this table and chair set. Gazebos, too !!!!
The Wood Fence Combo (23)
Preservation Technology for Fences (24)
Preservation Technology for Fences (24)
When a new fence section and a restored section occur in the same yard, there is a desire that they look as much the same as possible. Here the one on the left we built new and "pushed" the color to match the restored fencing to the right. Carlos has become an expert at the art of colorblending new and restored.
Preservation Technology for Fences (24)
Preservation Technology for Fences (24)
Preservation Technology for Fences (24)
The bible of Historic Preservation is the Secretary if the Interior's Standards which set out both philosophic and scientific "best practices". They formed the basis of the NYC Restore School and for the National Park Service care of the nation's national treasures in their stead. ASTM STP-935 was developed in pursuit of the Standards. Larry authored the section on "cleaning with the gentlest means possible". ASTM cleaning it is called.